KALAMAZOO, MI – The Western Michigan University hockey program announced Friday it has added a pair of defenseman to the incoming class of freshmen.

Western Michigan signed Taylor Fleming, a Waconia, Minn. native, and Thomas Nitsche, of Charlotte, N.C. and both will join the team in Kalamazoo this fall.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Fleming, who has a right-handed shot, played two seasons with the Fargo Force in the United States Hockey League with a breakout season this year. He was an assistant captain and recorded 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) in 63 regular-season games.

Fleming, who was committed to Air Force, but rescinded his verbal commitment in the spring, added eight points in the Clark Cup Playoffs as he helped the Force reach the USHL Championship series. Fleming joins his Fargo teammate Chris Dienes as incoming defenseman for the Broncos.

Western Michigan coach Andy Murray said Fleming’s style of play reminds him of Danny DeKeyser.

“He’s real smart and moves the puck,” Murray said.

Nitsche will add size to the Broncos’ blue line at 6-3, 210 pounds. He shoots left-handed.

He wore the captain’s letter with Langley of the BCHL this past regular season, before being traded to the Penticton Vees to keep playing during the league playoffs. Nitsche is the third WMU signee to have played for the Vees as forwards Sam Mellor and Michael Rebry played for Penticton.

Murray said Nitsche plays a hard game and reminds him of graduated senior Luke Witkowski.

“He’s a 4.0 student and we’re excited about that,” Murray said of Nitsche. “He was the captain at Langley and then traded to Penticton at the end of the year for a playoff run. He’s a good first-pass defenseman, who is primarily a defensive type of defenseman. He plays a solid game and plays hard. He uses his size well and like Danny (DeKeyser) he has a good stick.”

“Mike is working at forward and defenseman,” Murray said. “I think he’s an unbelievably fit kid and he can play forward or defense. He’s played defense the last two years. At this point, we’re looking at him as a defenseman, but he came here at 6-5 and weighed in at 255 and we think he’s going to play at 260. (Detroit Red Wings coach) Mike Babcock really likes him. I do know that.”

Murray said defenseman Paul Stoykewych (6-0, 200), a WMU signee, will not join the Broncos this season. Stoykewych is believed to be an early-to-mid-round pick in this year’s NHL Draft.

WMU will need leaders on the blue line as DeKeyser and Witkowski wore captain's letters and were the unquestioned top blue liners.

Murray said goalie Sam Bloomberg, who joined the team as a walk-on third goalie last season, will remain on the roster this season to back up Frank Slubowski and Lukas Hafner.

"He's worked his tail off and he deserves to stay, so he's going to stay," Murray said of Bloomberg, who played for the WMU club team before joining the Broncos last year.

On the offensive side, Mike McCarron (6-5, 230) highlights the group of incoming players as he is believed to be a first round pick in this year’s NHL Draft. A potential line this fall could be Colton Hargrove (6-2, 216), Josh Pitt (6-3, 198) and McCarron.